]]>Considered one of the leading foodservice industry trade publications, Nation’s Restaurant News names ten “Breakout Brands” each year that it defines as “cutting edge restaurant concepts that are set to redefine foodservice” — and for 2015, the all-vegan restaurant chain, Native Foods made the list!

Right from the get-go, the article establishes that meat-free eating is gaining momentum, even among meat-eaters: “Those who feel vegan and vegetarian eating will never go mainstream probably haven’t been to Native Foods Café — [R]oughly 80% of guests at Native Foods aren’t even vegetarian or vegan.”

What’s the secret to this restaurant chain’s success? According to co-owner Andrea McGinty, “We’re selling great food that just happens to be vegan.”

This tremendously positive coverage of the rise in meatless dining by an influential foodservice industry magazine offers yet another powerful example that vegan eating is shifting from the margins to the mainstream.

As McGinty notes, vegan eating is expanding in all corners of the restaurant industry: “We’re seeing mainstream chains putting one to three vegan options on the menu now, which I love because it further educates people about vegan food.”

And this is far from the first time Nation’s Restaurant News has featured stories about the growing interest in vegetarian and vegan eating. In addition to discussing the broadening appeal of meat-free eating, this industry journal has even featured meatless menus on the cover.

]]>http://cok.net/blog/2015/02/vegan-native-foods-cafe/feed/0Meatless Monday Momentum: NYC Council Introduces Resolution!http://cok.net/blog/2015/01/meatless-monday-momentum-nyc-council-introduces-resolution/
http://cok.net/blog/2015/01/meatless-monday-momentum-nyc-council-introduces-resolution/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 17:09:50 +0000http://cok.net/?p=23697The New York City Council just took a momentous step that could make the Big Apple the next – and - Read more »

Compassion Over Killing has been working closely with Rosenthal’s office to bring this Resolution forward. It’s being co-sponsored by Council Member Corey Johnson, who heads the Health Committee, as well as several other Council Members. Now that it’s been introduced, the Resolution will be reviewed in the Health Committee, and if supported, it will then be voted on by the entire Council.

Meatless Monday is an international effort that continues to gain steam across the globe and across the US. The aim is to empower people to protect their health, the planet, and animals by eating more plant-based foodss and leaving meat off their plates at least one day a week.

As introduced, the NYC Resolution sends a powerful message about the far-reaching impacts of our food choices, and it’s also a reflection of efforts already underway to embrace healthier and more humane meat-free meals in restaurants and school cafeterias in New York and nationwide.

If NYC passes this Meatless Monday resolution, it will join the ranks of other jurisdictions nationwide including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and many more.

Stay tuned for updates – and if you want to help bring Meatless Monday to your city, contact us today!

]]>http://cok.net/blog/2015/01/meatless-monday-momentum-nyc-council-introduces-resolution/feed/0Corporate Bullying: Sustainable Foods Stand Up & Speak Outhttp://cok.net/blog/2014/12/corporate-bullying/
http://cok.net/blog/2014/12/corporate-bullying/#commentsWed, 17 Dec 2014 14:53:37 +0000http://cok.net/?p=22365Industrial food and Big Ag are feeling the heat — it’s from a fire created by the development of a - Read more »

]]>Industrial food and Big Ag are feeling the heat — it’s from a fire created by the development of a strong wholesome sustainable food movement, and there are some clear and obvious signs that it’s getting too hot to handle.

Two months ago, Compassion Over Killing shared the outrageous news that Unilever, the $60B multi-national corporate makers of Hellmann’s mayonnaise filed a bullying lawsuit against the plant-based start-up Hampton Creek, makers of the uber popular plant-based “Just Mayo.” Unilever whined that Just Mayo is taking away market share from its (cholesterol-laden) egg-based Hellmann’s mayonnaise. The case is still pending and we’ll keep you posted.

And just this week, Vermont’s “Eat More Kale” creator, Bo Muller-Moore finally won – putting an end to the bullying he was suffering from cruelty-laden fried chicken chain Chick-fil-A. Why was Bo being bullied? Because of a shirt he was selling that encouraged people to “Eat More Kale.” Seriously! Chick-fil-A argued that this healthy food slogan — “Eat More Kale” — violated trademark on Chik-fil-A’s “Eat More Chik’n” marketing slogan.

Thankfully, the US Patent and Trademark association approached this with some common sense and approved Bo’s “Eat More Kale” trademark, putting an end to this fast-food giant’s unjustified bullying.

While Chik-fil-A was able to keep their sense of humor about the loss, stating “Cows love kale, too,” (yes, we know – kale is an excellent direct source of calcium!) these David versus Goliath battles are a sign that the sustainable, local, and plant-based food movements are rocking the boat and making meaningful, noticeable change in how we think about food — and how we eat.

Some corporate giants file bullying lawsuits in the hopes of maintaining the status quo, while others are more eager to stay ahead of the curve, and see the consumer trends bending toward healthier, kinder, and more sustainable eating. Compassion Over Killing has a long-standing history of exposing the hidden cruelties of Big Ag and successfully persuading companies to make important vegan-friendly changes that are a win-win for customers and animals alike, including our most recent announcements in the past few months about Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway and Tim Hortons.

]]>With more than 4,500 locations in Canada, Tim Hortons is the country’s largest coffee chain and the largest quick-service restaurant.Though the company didn’t have a dairy-free option for coffee — until now!

Next time you stop by Tims, look for the “Enjoy it with Soy” sign! If your favorite location doesn’t offer it, be sure to ask. Since this is available at participating locations, the more they hear from customers who want soy milk, the more likely you’ll start seeing it on the menu.

]]>http://cok.net/blog/2014/12/tim-hortons-soy/feed/0Sandwich Nationhttp://cok.net/blog/2014/12/sandwich-nation/
http://cok.net/blog/2014/12/sandwich-nation/#commentsFri, 12 Dec 2014 16:03:53 +0000http://cok.net/?p=22284Americans eat over 300 million sandwiches a day – that’s almost as many sandwiches as there are people in this - Read more »

The Earl of Sandwich, back in the 18th century, had a gambling problem. In fact, he had SUCH a gambling problem that he didn’t want to leave the table to eat and demanded a hand-held meal. His chef, unnamed in history books, came up with today’s version of what is now one of America’s staples: the sandwich, to which we say, “HUZZAH!”

Whether you like yours on sliced bread or packed tightly into a hoagie roll, it might actually be safe to say there isn’t a human on this planet who doesn’t enjoy a convenient, hand-held, bread-ensconced mid-day feast.

Mustard, Just Mayo, maybe even oil, vinegar, and oregano; toasted, quartered, rye or wheat – whatever your favorite sandwich is, you know exactly how to stack it. And with so many Subways in America, we’d love to be able to pop down the street at ANY time and get exactly what our mouth was watering for: something filling, tasty, and compassionate.

Some Subways are giving vegan options a trial run right now – and for this, We Love Subway! But we truly believe, as a nation of sandwich-lovers, Subway could do better!

Ask Subway for vegan options near you by leaving a comment for them on our website. Then tell a friend, and spread the sandwich love! www.welovesubway.com

]]>One in five Americans participates in Meatless Mondays, thanks in part to the growing number of schools, corporate cafeterias, and government entities endorsing this popular healthy eating campaign. That’s why we’re excited to announce that, after working with Compassion Over Killing, The Hilton Woodland Hills/Los Angeles is the latest to join the Meatless Monday movement!

Now on Mondays, hotel guests will receive a 20% discount on vegan entrees from the a la carte menu and Hilton employees can also enjoy a delicious meatless buffet in the staff dining area.

The Hilton’s Meatless Monday program was spearheaded by Babette Shade, Director of Food and Beverage, and Salvador Correa, Executive Chef, who wanted to meet the demand for healthier, allergen-free foods and simultaneously lessen the hotel’s environmental impact. “It’s our job to provide creative culinary flavors to meet all discriminating tastes and preferences,” said Shade. “Employees and guests alike will benefit from healthier meals while at the same time improving their carbon footprint. Our vegan chicken was a big surprise and success for many of our employees who tried vegan dishes for the first time!”

Wondering what’s on those Meatless Monday menus? There’s Vegan Chicken Piccata, Veggie Hamburgers, Lentil Loaf, and Spaghetti Marinara with Vegan Meatballs, to name a few. Vegan options can also be found on the banquet menus.

Why did this hotel decide to support Meatless Mondays? Shade explains, “We each have a personal and social responsibility to leave the world better than what we came into. It starts with one [person], but at the end of the day, if I can be part of a bigger picture — helping all creatures while promoting better health and helping the planet — then I have done my part.”

]]>In July, we shared the exciting news that nine Subway stores in Los Angeles started dishing out vegan subs: the tasty Malibu Garden and the delicious Black Bean (order on the Italian bread to make it a vegan meal). Three months later, we checked in with those stores to see how the Subway’s vegan subs are standing up to customer reviews — and the results suggest it’s a resounding success!

Here’s some of the great feedback we’ve heard from store managers and sandwich artists confirming that consumers are ready for a hearty, healthy, animal-free option to be permanently added to Subway’s menu:

“There are returning customers who are coming back who are vegan. Even one of our employees has been eating [the black bean patty] regularly and he eats meat. I myself am not vegetarian or vegan; I eat meat, but I really like it.”

“Right now there are steady sales. People think that it won’t taste good because it’s vegan, but then they try it and really like it.”

The [Malibu Garden] sandwiches have been selling a lot. Around the neighborhood, there are lots of vegans looking for a healthy sandwich.”

“It has been selling a lot here, we’ve had really good feedback. We have it right in front of our order board, and in our store we promote it a lot. If someone comes in for a veggie or veggie max, we try to steer them towards the black bean patty. I’ve tasted it, and it’s pretty good!”

Here’s more proof that Subway is catching on that consumers want more veg-friendly options: it’s even promoting veggie subs in its latest newsletter!

If you live in Los Angeles and haven’t tried the subs yet, what are you waiting for?! And no matter where you live, you can show Subway how much you love protein-packed vegan options by asking for these options on a store menu near you: it takes about 30 seconds to send them a comment through ourWeLoveSubway.com!

]]>http://cok.net/blog/2014/10/subway-vegan-subs-los-angeles/feed/0US Reps. Deutch & Gabbard Take US VegWeek Pledge to Next Level!http://cok.net/blog/2014/09/us-vegweek-deutch-gabbard/
http://cok.net/blog/2014/09/us-vegweek-deutch-gabbard/#commentsThu, 18 Sep 2014 13:17:38 +0000http://cok.net/?p=16683Earlier this year, more than 70 elected officials along with thousands of people across the country took Compassion Over Killing’s - Read more »

This week, two Congressmembers who participated in US VegWeek — Rep. Ted Deutch (Florida) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) — publicly embraced the benefits of veg-friendly eating in two different ways, inspiring constituents in their districts as well as throughout the nation.

“I realized quickly when I got here that the way that we live here going from 7 in the morning until 11 at night that there were always places where there’s food, and if you don’t think about what you eat, the risks are obvious. And so I started thinking a lot more about what I eat and read some books and decided to try it….my health has definitely improved as a result.” Deutch lost 25 pounds since adopting the diet.

Deutch goes on to say that at the capital’s National Democratic Club restaurant, there’s a dish called “Rep. Ted Deutch’s Vegan Chicken Piccata,” a delicious combination of shiitake mushrooms, capers, parsley, lemon and olive oil over linguine.

In another story, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released a short video in which she lends her support to Compassion Over Killing’s DC VegFest! As she happily explains in the video (embedded below): “As a lifelong vegetarian, I’m proud to add my support to the DC VegFest and join over 10,000 Americans…to celebrate healthier eating, a healthier society, and a healthier planet.”

Watch now, share this story, and join us for DC VegFest on Saturday, September 20 at Yards Park!

]]>http://cok.net/blog/2014/09/us-vegweek-deutch-gabbard/feed/0What’s Our Favorite Day of the Week? (Hint: It’s NOT Friday!)http://cok.net/blog/2014/09/meatless-monday/
http://cok.net/blog/2014/09/meatless-monday/#commentsMon, 08 Sep 2014 13:59:25 +0000http://cok.net/?p=16460We love Meatless Monday – and so do millions of Americans. This campaign is celebrated far and wide, in cities - Read more »

]]>We love Meatless Monday – and so do millions of Americans. This campaign is celebrated far and wide, in cities from coast to coast and across the globe, as a simple and fun way to help protect our health, the environment, and animals.

Did you know Meatless Monday was first initiated by the US government during World War I? It was promoted as a way to ration war-time food supplies and more than 13 million families pledged to participate. It was relaunched by President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II, and President Harry Truman continued the campaign post-war to help provide more food to war-torn Europe.

Then, in 2003, health advocate Sid Lerner joined with the prestigious Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to relaunch the campaign with the intention of improving public health.

Meatless Monday is also endorsed by many public school systems, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is the second largest in the nation. The Philadelphia Public School District recently followed suit, introducing weekly “Lean & Green” days to promote healthier, meat-free options, and South San Francisco Unified School District, Westbrook Public Schools (CT), and Winchendon Public Schools (MA) all recently launched Meatless Monday programs as well.

Dedicating at least one day a week to meat-free eating is also celebrated in 34 countries. In 2009, Ghent, Belgium became the first city to adopt Veggie Day and soon after Bremen, Germany introduced a“Thursday Veggie Day” campaign. Germany’s Green Party even added a “Veggie Day” component as part of its official party platform. Vancouver recently became the first Canadian city to endorse Meatless Mondays.

Why is Meatless Monday taking the world by storm? Because this popular campaign – which one in 5 Americans participates in – has a far-reaching impact on our health, the planet, and animals. Simply by choosing vegetarian foods just one day a week, an individual can: